Academic Probation or Suspension

Instructions for Filing an Academic Suspension Appeal

To appeal an academic suspension, a student must contact his/her own academic program
director and department office for further instructions on required actions and submitted
materials.

Academic Programs will notify the College of Graduate Studies of their appeal decisions
by the first Thursday in fall and spring semesters and by the second Thursday of summer
terms. Late fees may apply for registration.

For students identified by the program as failing to make satisfactory academic progress,
the program may recommend dismissal to the College of Graduate Studies with clear
documentation as to the reason for this recommendation. Action on this recommendation
will be made by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. Appeals of this dismissal
would be made to the College of Graduate Studies and considered by the Graduate Council
Suspension Appeals Committee. The action of the Academic Suspension Appeals Committee is final.

Readmission by Academic Suspension Appeals does not imply reinstatement of financial
aid, if applicable.

Academic Standards

Degree-seeking students are expected to take appropriate courses and make satisfactory
progress towards their degree objectives as determined by the graduate program. A
graduate student at the master or specialist level must maintain a cumulative GPA
of at least 3.00 for all graduate work completed at MTSU as well as in the major. A doctoral student
must maintain a minimum GPA of at least 3.25. Six semester hours of C grade (C+, C, or C-) coursework may be applied toward a master's
or specialist's degree; seven hours of C grade may count toward a Ph.D. degree requirements.
A graduate student failing to meet the applicable minimum cumulative graduate GPA
retention standard will be placed on academic probation for the subsequent term. Probation
in itself has no serious consequences other than to alert the student of potential
academic problems, and the requirement to (re)establish satisfactory academic status.
Once on probation, a student has three consecutive semesters in which to restore the
cumulative GPA to the minimum required. If the student fails to attain the required
GPA at the close of the third semester of probation, the student will be suspended
automatically. A student placed on suspension will not be allowed to continue coursework
during the subsequent semester. In order to re-enroll, a suspended student must formally
appeal the suspension to their graduate program by following established requirements
within the program. In the event that a student is suspended and subsequently upon
appeal is granted permission to re-enroll, should the student fail to maintain the
minimum cumulative GPA, there will be no second probationary period. The student will
be terminated at the close of the semester and no longer eligible for matriculation
in any program at MTSU.

Middle Tennessee State University, in its educational programs and activities involving students and employees, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age (as applicable), status as a covered veteran or genetic information. For more information see Middle Tennessee State University. | Nondiscrimination Policy